ONCHOCERCIASIS

Vaccination against river blindness (ONCHOCERCIASIS)

Von 2000-04-01
bis 2005-03-31

Projektdetails

Gesamtkosten:

EUR 1 599 400

EU-Beitrag:

EUR 1 599 400

Koordiniert in:

United Kingdom

Thema(en):

Finanzierungsprogramm:

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Ziel

The purpose of the research is to elucidate immune mechanisms and specificities that correlate with parasitological protection in three complementary systems: i) the target system of Onchocerca ovules in humans ii) the closely analogous system of Onchocerca change in cattle (which permits experimental manipulation in laboratory and field settings); iii) in the mouse model of Litosomoides sigmodontis (which permits detailed immunological analysis in a host supporting complete development of a filarial nematode.) In combination, these systems allow us to address the basis of naturally acquired immunity (against developing larvae and/or microfilariae) through immunoepidemiological and case-controlled comparisons (using defined antigens and parasite extracts); the basis of vaccine-induced immunity (using defined antigens and irradiated larvae); the impact of chemotherapy (both adulticides and microfilaricides ) on protection; and the effects of immunomodulation mediated by chronic infection.